Monthly Archives: June 2017

Before going home Steve suggested getting some lunch over at the diner. Ghost agreed, as he was hungry, too. “We haven’t been back there since that weird day before Thanksgiving. We can see if it ever got back to normal,” Ghost said.

The parking lot was full of cars, when they got there. “Hey, there’s people here, now…not like last time,” Steve said.

Inside, their favorite waitress came up, saying, “Hi, you two. Good to see y’all are back.”

“Yeah, and it’s not a time warp now,” Ghost said.

“I know,” she said, “and I heard that the strangeness was more than just here, that day. Thank goodness it didn’t last long.”

They ordered a pizza, and enjoyed watching people come and go. Sometimes they felt isolated living out on Burnt Church Road. There was a couple in the next booth, with two small children. Ghost was facing them. The kids kept peeking over the top of the seat, behind Steve, making funny faces at Ghost. He made a funny face back to them. They giggled and hid in their seat.

“What the hell are you doing?” Steve asked. He’d only seen Ghost make a face.

“Huh? Oh, nothing…” Ghost said.

The kids peeked over again, and Ghost made another face at them.

“What’s wrong with you?” Steve asked.

“Nothing, Steve…just playing with those kids behind you, that’s all.”

“Kids?” Steve asked.

“Yeah, behind you. They’re cute…look…”

Steve turned around, coming face to face with them. They hollered and ducked down, again. He shrugged and smiled at their parents.

“They like to be silly,” the mom said. “It happens all the time, so just pay no attention, and they’ll stop bothering you.”

Steve waved to them, and said hi. The kids started asking Steve questions, and laughing. “That’s enough, guys…turn around and eat your lunch,” the dad said.

Their pizza came, then, so they began to eat. “That was fun and funny,” Ghost said.

“Yeah, but I don’t know how to be around kids,” Steve said.

“Me either, but that was cool, playing with them.”

As they finished eating, and got up to leave, Ghost told them bye, and the kids kept saying bye over and over.

~

When they got back home, Steve made a pot of coffee. He just wanted to relax and look through the books he’d bought. Ghost took Spirit outside in the back, to play, and he also took the phone with him. Steve didn’t notice. As the cat prowled around, Ghost made a call to Zach.

“Hey, Zach,” he said, “is the plan still in action?”

“Yep, Trevor is in a hundred percent, and will call Steve first thing in the morning. I’ll come pick you up as soon as I can, ok?”

“Yeah, I’ll be here,” Ghost said. He hung up, and pocketed the phone. After a few minutes, he and Spirit came back inside. Steve was absorbed in his book, so didn’t see Ghost put the phone back down on the table. Going into his bedroom, he started reading his own books.

The afternoon was easy, and uneventful. Later in the evening, Kinsey called them. “Hey, Steve, just checking in with y’all.”

“How are thing going, Kinsey?” Steve asked.

“Great…we’re in New York City…got here this morning. Terry’s making us do the whole tourist thing…seeing all the sights. We went to a broadway show, and ate a bunch of good food. We’ll be here another day, then we’re on our way to Florida, for some deep sea fishing. Should be home a couple of days after that,” Kinsey said.

“That’s great, Kinsey. We’re fine here, just the usual. We miss y’all, though. Everyone asks about when y’all will be home.”

Kinsey laughed. “So, the town can’t do without us, huh? I love it. Well, we’ll see everyone soon enough. Got to go see some more stuff, Steve. Talk to ya later.”

“Was that Kinsey?” Ghost asked.

“Yeah, they’re still having fun. They’ll be home in a few days.”

“Good, ’cause I miss them,” Ghost said. “And, we get to have a show when they get back.”

“That’s right, and we need to plan that out a little better, too,” Steve said.

It was getting late, so they made a simple supper of sandwiches, and sat at the kitchen table. Steve went over their show plans, and plans for selling their book, and CD. Ghost knew Steve couldn’t read his mind, so kept thinking of the plan he had for the next morning. Steve was trying to keep everything else on his mind, so as not to think of his plan for Ghost’s Christmas present.

~

The next morning, Ghost was fidgety. He couldn’t sit still, couldn’t concentrate on breakfast, tv, or anything Steve wanted to talk about. He kept jumping, every time he heard a noise, thinking it was the phone call.

“What’s got you all riled up, Ghost,” Steve asked him.

“Nothing,” Ghost said, as he paced around the house.

“Well, why don’t you take that nothing, and go outside and run around…burn off some of that energy.”

So, he did, and when the phone call did come, he missed hearing it. Steve took the call, then hollered out the door, to Ghost. “Hey, come here.”

When Ghost got to the porch, Steve said, “I just got the strangest phone call from Trevor.”

“You did?” Ghost asked. “What did he want?”

“He wanted me to come over there and help him with something. I couldn’t quite make out what, but sounded like move some furniture, or paint some furniture…I don’t know what he was going on about. He said Zach wasn’t going to be there to help, and could I come over.”

“Are you going?”

“Yeah, guess so…you want to come, too?”

Ghost pretended to be thinking about it, then said, “No, you go on. I don’t like moving furniture.”

“Ok, then, let me get my keys. Will you be ok here by yourself for awhile?”

“Yeah, me and Spirit will be fine,” Ghost assured him.

“Ok, then, see ya later,” Steve said, and drove away.

A few minutes later, Zach pulled up into the driveway, and honked for Ghost to come out. He came running, and jumped in the car, all out of breath, but grinning.

Zach was laughing. “This secret stuff is kinda fun, Ghost.” He drove out on the highway toward Raleigh. “So what’s the scoop?”

“Hmm, I figured everyone liked to drive. Oh, here we are, the bank. Do you want me to go in, too?” Zach asked.

“No, it won’t take long,” Ghost said. He went into the bank building, and asked an employee to come help him in the safe room. He’d have to trust the person, because they’d have to count out some money for him. He didn’t really know how much he’d need, so he told them he was buying a car, and to give him however much they thought it would cost.

The employee was helpful, giving Ghost a large amount, from his and Steve’s safety deposit box.

Back in the car with Zach, Ghost told him to drive to a certain junkyard for wrecked cars.

“Ghost, I know it’s a secret for Steve, but why here?” Zach asked.

“Because, this is where they took Steve’s wrecked T-bird. I want to get it fixed for him. He loved that car,” Ghost said.

Zach smiled. “Wow, that’s a great idea,” he said.

At the junkyard, Ghost told the clerk what he wanted to do. Clearing his throat, he then said, “A long time ago, there was a wreck, and Steve’s car was brought here. It’s a T-bird, an old one, and do you still have it?”

“How long ago was this?” the clerk asked.

“I think it was…” Ghost looked to Zach for help. “Zach, do you know?”

Zach shrugged, “I never even lived here, then, Ghost. Let me see what I can find out. They have records of what was brought in, I think.”

This is a work of “fan fiction” based on the novel, “Lost Souls” by Poppy Z. Brite. All credit for the original characters, places, and some backstory mentions, belong to Ms. Brite and her publishing affiliates. Only newly introduced characters, places, and original elements of this story are entirely from my imagination. Character descriptions are a blend of the original book descriptions and my interpretation of them.

All songs included in this work will be solely owned by the original performers/writers and will be credited. Creative liscense is taken in including them in this story.

No harm is intended toward author, muscians, or people and situations to whom there may be a resemblence.

warning warning warning warning

The content herein is rated by me as being at the high end of MA (Mature Audience). It includes strong language, violence, sexual themes, including same sex pairings, religious themes, and fantasy horror.

Steve and Ghost stayed out on the porch for a while longer, drinking their coffee, and listening to the birds out in the woods wake up. It was a nice, easy start to their day. After a bit, though they came in to fix some breakfast. Working side by side in the kitchen, they made pancakes and eggs. Remembering their conversation from the night before, Ghost asked, “Do you think the book store will be open?”

“Oh, yeah, by the time we get there, I’m sure it will be,” Steve said. So far, that was the only plan they had for the day. They were in no hurry to leave the house, though.

~

The used bookstore, there in Missing Mile, was not large, but people did come regularly to buy, sell, and trade their books. As they went inside, the owner greeted them.

“Hey, Steve…Ghost…it’s been awhile. Good to see y’all, again. Lots of new books have come in. Y’all look around.”

Steve headed for his favorite section…the novels. Ghost went browsing the shelves, too, to see what he could find. When Steve finally emerged from the stacks, with an armload of books, he took them over to the counter. He stayed there talking to the guy, while he waited for Ghost to finish.

“I see you still like these kind, Steve,” he said, picking up one of the books. “This one is good.”

Steve nodded, and said, “Yeah, I tried to get Ghost to read them, but he wouldn’t.”

The owner laughed. “Hah, that one goes for the unusual ones, I know. I keep tabs on my customer’s reading preferences. I always see Ghost head for the New Age section, then he goes to sci-fy, then he’ll look through the history type. It never fails. And you, my friend, head for the novels, and your favorite authors, first, then any books that are similar, and last, you’ll check out the biography for musicians true stories.”

Steve laughed, and agreed. “You got it just right, man.”

“I heard Kinsey and Terry are away on vacation.”

“That’s right, for another week or so,” Steve said. “They’ve been calling us to say they’re having fun.”

“I know…he has them all lined up on his bookcase in his office. He never gets rid of any of them.”

Just then, Ghost came up to the counter with his selections. Taking a look, both Steve and the man laughed. “Told ya,” they both said.

“What?” asked Ghost.

“That we knew what kind you were gonna get,” said Steve.

“So…this is what I like…and look, these here ones are new. I haven’t read them before,” Ghost said.

“Um-hum, that’s the whole point of coming in here, Ghost…to get something new.”

“I know, but there’s other reasons, too,” Ghost said.

“Like what?” Steve asked.

“Well, like seeing if somebody left junk in a book, and to see if I know who had it last, and to smell the book smells, and…to say hi to you,” Ghost said, looking at the owner.

“Well, Ghost, I’m glad I was included in that list. I never thought of it that way, but you’re right.” He began ringing up their purchases, and sacking them up. “Enjoy your books, guys. See ya next time around.”

Steve and Ghost left, and sat in the car a few minutes. “What’cha wanna do now, Ghost?”

Ghost thought for a minute, then said, “I want to go see Zach. I need to ask him something.”

“Ok, we can do that,” Steve said. He started the car, and drove over to Zach and Trevor’s house. They didn’t call first, so lucked out at finding them home. Trevor answered the door, when they rang the bell, and looked surprised to see them.

“I need to talk to you, Zach,” Ghost said. “But first, I want to say I’m sorry for the other day. I was too drunk to say it then. Anyway, I didn’t ruin your house, did I?” He looked around, trying to see any wreckage.

“No, you didn’t ruin anything, Ghost. In fact, you were kinda funny. We’re just glad you’re feeling ok, today,” Zach said. “So, what do you want to talk to me about?”

Ghost grabbed Zach’s arm, and led him down the hallway to the bedroom, and closed the door.

“That was strange,” Trevor said, looking at Steve.

Steve shrugged, “Yeah, I have no idea what he’s up to.”

“Well, sit down…I guess they’ll be out in a few minutes,” Trevor said.

~

Ghost went over to the bed and sat down. Zach was still standing in the middle of the room. He’d never talked to Ghost, one on one, like this before, and was a little wary. He knew Ghost was unpredictable, and Zach was thinking to himself, that he should be ready for anything.

Ghost, of course, heard the thought. “I’m not gonna jump ya, Zach. I just want to ask ya something, and I don’t want Steve to hear.”

“Uh, sure Ghost,” Zach said, “what is it?”

Ghost sighed, “Ok, I gotta get Steve a Christmas present.” He stopped, and looked up at Zach.

Zach waited for more information. “And, what is your question?” he asked.

“Oh…how can I do that?” Ghost said.

Zach was still confused. “I’m not sure I’m following you, Ghost. What do you want me to do?”

Ghost sighed again, and tried to find the words to explain. “This is so hard…I never had to ask anybody before, and it’s not coming out right.”

Zach saw that Ghost was getting upset, and was on the verge of crying, his bottom lip quivering. He’d never dealt with someone like Ghost…he was usually so good with words, and talked all the time, and now was having so much trouble getting to the point.

“Ok, Ghost, let me see. So far, here’s what I know…you want to get Steve a Christmas present…right?”

Ghost nodded.

Zach continued, “And, you don’t know how? How to what…how to get one? What to get? How to keep it a secret? How to pay for it? How to go get it by yourself?” Zach listed all the possibilities he could think of. Looking at Ghost, he could see tears falling, and Ghost brushing them off his cheeks.

“Yeah,” Ghost whispered, “all of that.” He looked up at Zach. “Can you help me?”

Zach was moved by how vulnerable Ghost was at this moment. He could fight demons, but found it so hard to ask for help…such an enigma. He knelt down in front of Ghost, and took his hands. “Ghost, I’ll do all I can to help you…just say it.”

Ghost sniffed, “Ok, first I’ll need a ride to Raleigh. Then I have to go to the bank, and to the junkyard. I know what I want to do, and have the money. Mostly, I just need a ride, and for Steve to not find out.” Ghost talked fast now, trying to get it all out before he froze up again.

“I see…” Zach said. “Maybe I can ask Trevor to help distract Steve…have him come over here on some excuse or other, ya know. Or, hey, maybe Steve needs time alone to go get your secret present. This could work out ok, after all. Why don’t you ask him?”

Ghost looked confused, now. “No, I can’t. I like it better if he can come over here. That would work, and you can pick me up.”

“Ok, we’ll do that,” Zach said. “I’ll have Trevor call in the morning, and then I’ll leave here, before Steve gets here. Then, I can drive you in to Raleigh? Sound good?” He smiled, finally understanding the problem.

This is a work of “fan fiction” based on the novel, “Lost Souls” by Poppy Z. Brite. All credit for the original characters, places, and some backstory mentions, belong to Ms. Brite and her publishing affiliates. Only newly introduced characters, places, and original elements of this story are entirely from my imagination. Character descriptions are a blend of the original book descriptions and my interpretation of them.

All songs included in this work will be solely owned by the original performers/writers and will be credited. Creative liscense is taken in including them in this story.

No harm is intended toward author, muscians, or people and situations to whom there may be a resemblence.

warning warning warning warning

The content herein is rated by me as being at the high end of MA (Mature Audience). It includes strong language, violence, sexual themes, including same sex pairings, religious themes, and fantasy horror.

We were asked the question, is a song without lyrics, a song…or not? If I hear it played on the radio, I think it is a song, even if it is just music. There have been many instrumental ‘songs’ recorded. Seems they were more popular way back when, than these days, but I still like hearing them.

This first song is one I really like. I’ve found myself humming it to myself quite a lot over the years, as it has stuck with me because of what all it represents. The music just does something to me, like an optimistic, uplifting sound. Well, you know how I’m fascinated by all things to do with space travel, time travel, stars, and planets. 🙂 The song was named after the first Communications Satellite, which was launched on July 10, 1962. The satellite was the first one to provide communications through television, telephones, and faxes, to be available to everyone. Just think of how we communicate around the world right now. If it wasn’t for these many satellites that orbit the Earth today, our communications ability would not be so advanced.

This week we are to find photos of a gorilla. This is all I have. It was on the roof of a local business, which was pretty cool. I don’t have many photos of any kind of monkeys or apes, as I’m not very fond of them, and we don’t have a zoo or anything here. I did work for a Silverback Gorilla once before, though. I’ll post about it in one of my Random Posts of jobs, pretty soon. 🙂

Continuing my list of former jobs, these two were at schools. One was paid, one was not. Guess which one I liked the best. 🙂

I don’t remember which one came first, but they were both in elementary schools, in the late 80s, early 90s. Both of them were in Texas.

The one I got a paycheck from was at Willow Springs Elementary School. I was a teacher’s aid. I’ve never been to school for learning how to teach, so this was just to help out the teachers in the classroom. I had two that I rotated between. One was for pre-kindergarten, the other was 2nd grade.

Some of the duties I had during the day, was to create cute bulletin boards. They were to emphasize whatever the kids were learning about that week. I loved doing these. I also got to help the kids with craft projects, helping them learn to use little scissors, to cut out shapes, and also using glue. One project was gluing those goldfish cheese crackers onto some construction paper to make a fish bowl or something. The thing was, the kids kept eating all the crackers before they could glue any on. That was funny. I got to ask each one about letters, numbers, and colors, to see if they’d learned them yet. In the other 2nd grade class, I got to read stories to them from books. I’d get to take them outside for recess, and supervise the games. Also about once a week I had morning duty on the playground, so had to come in early before school started for that. All this was fun, and the kids were wonderful. 🙂

Then, there was cafeteria duty. Oh, how I hated that part. For some reason the school had strict no talking rules. I mean strict! There would be no talking at all from the kids while they ate their lunches. If one was even suspected of talking to anyone, they were singled out to go stand in front of the room, not finish their lunch, and no playground time after lunch. To me, that seemed horrible! Lunch should be a time to relax, with no stress, for the kids. Quiet talking to their neighboring kids would be fine to me, but this was not allowed. I just hated having to make one get up when they forgot.

Another thing I didn’t like about this place and job was that the faculty of teachers were not nice or friendly at all to me. They were all snooty. They wouldn’t talk in the break room, and looked at me like I was so much beneath them. Finally, I’d had enough, and quit this job.

***

This other school job I had was a volunteer position. I worked in the school library. I actually can’t remember where this was. I think it may have been in Sinton TX. I sure did enjoy this job. I got to shelve books, and also get new books ready to be checked out, by classifying them, stamping the catalog numbers on them, and helping kids check out books when they came in. I don’t have anything bad to say about this one. The librarian was super nice, and helpful, and even sent me a nice letter after we had to move away, thanking me for working there.

So, these were two different experiences in school jobs I had. Yes, I liked the unpaid job best!

This is where we take a book we’ve been meaning to read, that has been stacked up in our ‘to be read’ pile for awhile, and actually read it. I know I have a lot like that. We are to give a review of the book, one that has been bought at a discount, at a yard sale or thrift store, or any used book store. There’s where the ‘recycled’ part comes in. Giving these used books a chance can lead to some great reading. 🙂

This past month I read this one.

***

“Peking to Paris”, by Dina Bennett, was the book I read this past month. I can’t remember where I got it, probably at a library book sale, but it’s been in my to be read pile for quite awhile. I liked this book a lot. There are even photos!

The main subject here is about a husband and wife who take on the challenge of a long road rally. It was for people that own antique cars. Some of these cars were beautiful examples of the era that they were built. The challenge was to drive from Peking, China, to Paris, France, to actually complete the challenge in 35 days, and of course to win the prize at the end.

Dina knew nothing about cars, races, or rallies. Her husband was all into it, though. He would do the driving, and she would be the navigator. She had a lot to learn. Their car, a 1940 LaSalle, was finally ready to go, and so were they. Naming the car, Roxanne, they began their adventure.

Through all kinds of weather, car break-downs, arguments, hostels, and fabulous hotels, they endured. They made some friends along the way, and saw some amazing sights in the countries they passed through.

Dina writes this memoir from her point of view, which includes lots of humor at the predicaments she finds herself in. The rally took place in 2007, and the book was printed in 2013. I think you’ll enjoy reading it as much as I did.